View Full Version : Pinball Coffee Table
dstone
08-11-2009, 11:50 PM
Just thought I'd share a project I finished up. A local arcade was throwing out a pinball machine that had been stripped down (nothing left but the playfield, a few solenoids, and a transformer in the box); I picked it up and used the playfield as a centerpiece for a coffee table. Work log is here (forum.okcoin-op.com/index.php?topic=1113.0).
http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/glass3s.JPG (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/glass3.JPG) http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/powers.JPG (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/power.JPG)
http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final1s.JPG (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final1.JPG) http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final2s.JPG (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final2.JPG) http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final3s.JPG (http://www.vectorcade.net/pinballcoffee/final3.JPG)
This has been quite a fun project stretched over a two year period (there were a few months when no progress was made while I focused on school). It's been quite enjoyable and extremely educational.
coreys429
08-12-2009, 01:16 AM
I always wanted to do something like this. I think it would be neato if I could do that someday.
TNTPLUST
08-12-2009, 01:24 AM
Very Cool
MachineGex
08-12-2009, 10:16 AM
That is very cool, good job!
Frankie_Says_Relax
08-12-2009, 10:31 AM
Awesome!
Does it generate a lot of (or any noticeable) heat?
Does the electricity run clean/quiet or does it buzz/hum when it's powered up?
dstone
08-12-2009, 05:47 PM
Thanks, everyone. The process of building it was extremely fun, there's just something relaxing about woodworking.
The only time I have managed to get the transformer to buzz or hum was when I had it on a dimming circuit (one of those X10 things) and would dim it down to just a few steps before it would turn off completely. I don't use it with a dimmer, though, I was just curious to see how it would react. I've left it on all day several times, it does get a little warm but nothing that I would really worry about. My last company laptop generated more heat than this does. But, as a precaution, there is a 1/8-inch gap between the sides and the top frame to allow for air flow under the glass. The transformer has remained just ever-so-slightly warm to the touch throughout all the testing.
I suppose I should add that all the small photos are click-able to enlarge, however my web uplink is a bit slow and can sometimes be a bit unstable.
Videogamerdaryll
08-12-2009, 06:03 PM
AWESOME!!!
That is soo Coool..I gotta show my Dad this.
................................
jb143
08-12-2009, 06:53 PM
The only time I have managed to get the transformer to buzz or hum was when I had it on a dimming circuit (one of those X10 things) and would dim it down to just a few steps before it would turn off completely. I don't use it with a dimmer, though, I was just curious to see how it would react. I've left it on all day several times, it does get a little warm but nothing that I would really worry about. My last company laptop generated more heat than this does. But, as a precaution, there is a 1/8-inch gap between the sides and the top frame to allow for air flow under the glass. The transformer has remained just ever-so-slightly warm to the touch throughout all the testing.
Looks really nice, the only suggestion that I'd make (if you didn't do it already) is to put a fuse in the circuit.
dstone
08-12-2009, 07:19 PM
Looks really nice, the only suggestion that I'd make (if you didn't do it already) is to put a fuse in the circuit.
The mains come in and go through a fuse, a line filter, the switch, then into the transformer which steps it down to the 6.3v AC for the lighting. That goes through another fuse and finally to the lighting. All the fuses are sized accordingly.
jb143
08-12-2009, 07:55 PM
The mains come in and go through a fuse, a line filter, the switch, then into the transformer which steps it down to the 6.3v AC for the lighting. That goes through another fuse and finally to the lighting. All the fuses are sized accordingly.
Nice to hear...don't have to worry about your cool looking coffie table burning down now.:cool:
dstone
08-12-2009, 08:32 PM
Yeah, when I was working on the electrical portion, I could envision the table bursting into flames in the middle of the living room. Not likely to happen, but still didn't want to take any chances. LOL
madman77
08-12-2009, 09:21 PM
That looks great, looks really well put together from a wood working perspective as well.
TheDomesticInstitution
08-12-2009, 09:40 PM
I don't have much to add other than "Awesome." How cool is it, that you turned a piece of gaming history that was undoubtedly going to be trashed, into something useful that'll live on for a long time? Maybe it's just me, but if you found the right type of buyers, this looks like a very sellable product. To me, it's a "found art" masterpiece. Any idea how much time and money you put into it? Although I'll venture a guess and say that soon-to-be-trashed playfields aren't easy to come by.
Flashback2012
08-12-2009, 10:11 PM
As a pinball fan, I have to say that is most excellent looking. :rocker:
slapdash
08-12-2009, 11:43 PM
Oh, I like it... If only I had the talent to make one of my own, or the money to hire one out...
JohnnyBlaze
08-13-2009, 12:35 AM
A Firepower coffee table? You sir are teh roxxorz! Anyways, too bad you can't play it. But, it still is awesome nonetheless. It would probably make a great heirloom too. BTW, since you're in school, any plans to use this as a term project or something toward your degree?
boatofcar
08-13-2009, 12:45 AM
I don't have much to add other than "Awesome." How cool is it, that you turned a piece of gaming history that was undoubtedly going to be trashed, into something useful that'll live on for a long time? Maybe it's just me, but if you found the right type of buyers, this looks like a very sellable product. To me, it's a "found art" masterpiece. Any idea how much time and money you put into it? Although I'll venture a guess and say that soon-to-be-trashed playfields aren't easy to come by.
QFT. I know anytime someone makes something cool, tons of people suggest they make more to sell, but this really seems like something a lot of man caves are begging for! If you factored in labor cost, how much would you charge for one of these if you did decide to sell them?
dstone
08-13-2009, 08:00 PM
any plans to use this as a term project or something toward your degree?
Don't really have any classes that something like this would work with, as I've already finished my mechanical design capstone project and am now working on a degree in broadcasting.
As for how much I could sell one for, I'd have to dig out a few receipts and run all the numbers again, as I've added a few parts since the last time I had it figured out. Hardest part would be tracking down more playfields, but I've got a friend that has a lead on some more.
dstone
08-30-2009, 11:37 PM
If you factored in labor cost, how much would you charge for one of these if you did decide to sell them?
I ran the numbers last night, it looks like I could sell these for around $600. Costs would fluctuate a tad depending on the playfield, though.
boatofcar
08-31-2009, 06:21 AM
That's not a bad price at all, depending on the kind of wood you use.
dstone
09-02-2009, 01:20 AM
That's not a bad price at all, depending on the kind of wood you use.
This particular coffee table was made with red oak. I should have access to quite a variety of wood types now, I'm eager to start working with some of them.
Just hit up a local pinball show, or possibly some local amusement machine vendors. There are plenty of playfields around.
I just ran across 3 more locally this evening. The more I look into playfields, the more they start to surface. Many that show up have quite a bit of wear, which I love. They have so much character.
JamieJamieBrown
09-03-2009, 02:40 PM
Really really beautiful. I love it. You should think about getting it semi-working. Thats art right there.
Balloon Fight
01-05-2010, 04:18 AM
Absolutely love it. I'll definitely be borrowing this idea someday and making one of my own. :)
bunnybum
01-05-2010, 04:46 AM
Holy crap, that's one awesome looking coffee table! If I ever find a decent priced pinball table, I'm borrowing this idea and doing some serious Ikea hacking.
Oobgarm
01-05-2010, 06:58 AM
That's amazing. Even more awesome is the fact that you used a great table for it.
JSoup
01-05-2010, 04:01 PM
It's amazing the stuff you people come up with. X_x
That is awesome and I want one.
otoko
01-06-2010, 02:50 AM
Bravo Sir, You have completed 6 awesome.
It's cool enough that you made it into a coffee table and making a old pinball set useful again, but then you made it light up.. Awesome.. Then you gave it an outer casing that is contemporary enough to fit into just about any normal room setting. I would love to have one myself If I had any room.